Penguins Embarrass Rangers 5-0; Lead Series 3-1

Well, that was easy. In front of a silent and shocked crowed Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the Penguins were able to easily dispose of the New York Rangers 5-0.  Some observations:

There won't be many when there is a drubbing like this, but Matt Murray was again spectacular as he recorded his first shoutout of his career in the playoffs.  He ended up stopping 31 saves and during that process made some spectacular saves.  The question I guess remaining is, is Marc Andre Fleury done being a Pittsburgh Penguin if the Pens win this series and go deep into the playoffs?  Let's be honest, there is no sense in keeping him around at the price he is making if someone at a much cheaper price can get the job done.

Another aspect of the game the Penguins dominated was their power play.  The Penguins ended up going 3/6 on the power play and were able to distribute the puck at will.  Furthermore, their forechecking bothered the Rangers the entire night and didn't allow them to exit their own zone freely.  

With the speed and the tenacity the Penguins are displaying, they should have no problem ending this series in Pittsburgh tomorrow.  Face-off is set for 3 o'clock EST.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/malkin-stars-penguins-push-rangers-playoff-brink-015930906--nhl.html

Speed Rules The Day; Pens Take 2-1 Series Lead

In baseball, the phrase usually known about pitching is, "You are only as good as your next day starting pitcher."  Well in game 3, the Penguins went to their next starting goaltender in the form of regularly backup goaltender Matt Murray.  What resulted was a 3-1 game 3 win by the Penguins and a 2-1 series lead over the New York Rangers.  Some observations:

The Rangers fell into the trap of trying to play the style the Penguins play which is speed.  Yes, the Rangers were physical at times, but they weren't exactly trying to slow down the pace of play and tried trading scoring opportunities against the Penguins.   Even with them trying to trade scoring opportunities, the Rangers were only able to put 17 shots on net.  For the Rangers to be successful, they have to not fall into the trap of playing the Penguins style of hockey.

Furthermore, both goaltenders last night were superb.  Two out of the four total goals were scored on the breakaway.  I thought for how high pressured the game was that Matt Murray played spectacular, and that the big stage of it being the playoffs and playing at Madison Square Garden didn't really phase him.  I'm not sure if there has ever been a playoff series in which three separate goaltenders have recorded a win for one team.  If Fleury would come back in this series, one it would be interesting to see even if they go to him in net, and two, if he would be able to accomplish that feat.

The Penguins look to put a stranglehold on the series when they face the New York Rangers in game 4 Thursday night at 7:00.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/cullens-third-period-goal-leads-penguins-over-rangers-014948574--nhl.html

Lundqvist Shines as Rangers Tie Series at 1

A lot can happen within a 72 hour span as the Penguins found out on Saturday afternoon against the New York Rangers.  After a game 1 victory by the Penguins 5-2, the Rangers flipped the script and won convincing in game 2, 4-2.  Some observations:

First and foremost, the Penguins had a horrendous second period, which is shocking because for most of the season the second period was their strongest.  The Penguins scored early in the second period as Phil Kessel scored a beautiful goal that was set up by both Trevor Daley and Nick Bonino.  That would be the only bright spot as the Rangers would end up scoring three goals in the period in roughly about four minutes of playing time.

Second, Zatkoff was not good in yesterdays game.  He saved 24/ 28 shots, and he never really looked comfortable in the net.  While he absorbed shots in game 1 and was in good position, that was not the case and he let a lot of juicy rebounds out there for the Rangers to capitalize the entire game.  However, one goal was not his fault as Derick Brassard torched past Oil Maatta with his speed and scored on a breakaway.

Last, it has always been clear of how to beat the Penguins whether it be in the regular season and in the playoffs.  You have to get them frustrated.  The key to any success opposing teams have on the Penguins is to take the lead and watch the Penguins take stupid penalties.  Throughout this game in the third you would see the Penguins cross check and even slash at the Rangers players legs late in the game.  The Penguins must get back to their game of utilizing their speed to neutralize the physicality of the Rangers.  Also, having Fleury back wouldn't hurt the Penguins either.

The Penguins look to regain their advantage in the series as the venue shifts to Madison Square Garden.  Face-off is set for 7:00 on Tuesday.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/rangers-respond-top-penguins-4-2-even-series-221516522--nhl.html

Zatkoff, Hornqvist Shine in Game 1; Take 1-0 Series Lead Against Rangers

In front of a packed house inside the Consol Energy Center for game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, an unlikely hero emerged as third string goaltender Jeff Zatkoff stole the show and helped the Pens come out with a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers.  Observations:

Zatkoff really held down the fort early on in the first period as the Rangers threw everything but the kitchen sink his way.  Zatkoff was able to be in good position for many of the shots the Rangers took and was able to absorb most of the shots.  Derek Stepan was able to get two behind Zatkoff, but none were his fault as one was a five on three power play, and another one was a beautiful shot top shelf.  Zatkoff definitely stole the show in game 1 stopping 35 out of 37 shots.

Another key aspect of the game was the hat trick by Penguins Patric Hornqvist.  He was able to begin the scoring for the Penguins by crashing the net late in the first period and sneaking it behind an injured Henrik Lundqvist underneath his pads.  Lundqvist would end up leaving after the first period due to an eye injury, and Hornqvist would end up scoring on the power play and an empty net in the third period.

The Penguins look to continue their winning ways as they battle the New York Rangers in game 2 Saturday at 3 PM.

Source: www.penguins.nhl.com

How Sweep It Is! Pirates Move to 3-0 in the Young Baseball Season

The temperature in the steel city may be cold as of late, but things were heating up this week at PNC Park.  Not only did the Pirates sweep the hated rival St. Louis Cardinals, but for two out of the three games they dominated play.  Last night completed the sweep with the Pirates winning 5-1.  Some observations:

It's no secret that Ray Searage does a masterful job in reclamation projects with this pitching staff over the years, and it seems that early on he can add another name to that list.  Juan Nicascio was superb last night going six innings, giving up one earned run, and striking out seven Cardinal batters.   His pitching arsenal was effective, as his fastball would reach on a consistent basis of  97MPH.  The key stat for the night I believe was that Nicasio didn't allow a walk his entire start.  Prior, Nicasio's last time being a starting pitcher for a full season was back in 2013 for the Colorado Rockies were his ERA (earned run average) was 5.14.  I know it's early on, but what I saw was really promising, and I think we owe a lot of that to pitching coach Ray
Searage.

Another person who looks comfortable at the beginning of the season is right fielder Gregory Polanco.  Polanco just signed a five year extension for thirty five million dollars, and so far the money has been well spent.  He is not chasing bad pitches, and is either getting on base with a walk, or tattooing the ball when he puts it into play.  I don't think he can ever reach the numbers Andrew McCutchen will over a season, but the potential to put up healthy numbers is definitely there.  The Pirates outfield is the best in baseball.

So three games are in the books and the Pirates are riding high.  Next they set their sails for a five game road trip in Cincinnati and Detroit.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nicascio-helps-pirates-beat-cardinals-5-1-3-023728981--mlb.html

Make it Six! Pens Win Again 6-2

Another game, another win, another day.  Every time the Pens are on, I can't help but hum in my head, "All we do is win, win, win, no matter what...", and so on.  The battle for Pennsylvania was a laugher as the Penguins beat the hated Philadelphia Flyers 6-2.  Some observations:

With Fleury on the shelf with a concussion for the second time this year, Matt Murray currently has been holding the fort strong.  Not only did he shutout the Islanders the day before, he was spectacular in shutting down the Flyers by stopping 28/30 shots.  However, with that being said, I would like to see the flower back and healthy for the playoffs.  Not saying I don't have confidence in Murray, just the playoffs are a whole other animal.

The Pens power play once again registered a goal thanks to Sidney Crosby.  It is nice to start seeing the power play gel on a more consistent basis without Malkin in the lineup.  Without Malkin in the beginning of his injury, the Pens struggled to create any momentum or chances on it.  Furthermore, the Pens were able to score a short handed goal for their third straight game, as Eric Fehr found an empty net at the end.

Last, their domination in all phases of the game is apparent.  What really stands out, is that they have 5 or more goals in their last five out of six games.  We aren't just beating teams, we are bludgeoning them.  The Penguins return back to action tomorrow night as they face the Ottawa Senators.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-build-early-lead-rout-flyers-6-2-000536770--nhl.html

Magic Number is 2 as Pens Beat Predators 5-2

The Penguins currently are playing hotter than a fox in a forest fire.  Last nights win against Nashville gave them their 10th win out of their last 11 games.  The Penguins aren't just winning, they are a team that now seems to register four or more goals on a regular basis, while destroying their competitors.  Some observations:

The Penguins were relentless in their puck pursuit in the offensive end.  If they weren't creating scoring chances, they were badgering the Predators all night trying to leave their defensive zone.  Furthermore, their power play seems to be coming back to life without the presence of Evgeni Malkin, as they went 2/4 with goals from Letang and Hornqvist.

Next, the play of Phil Kessel has seemed to silence the critics for now.  He has five goals and six assists equaling eleven points in his last ten games, while also getting great scoring chances.  Everyone was critical early on, and maybe justified, but I thought it was going to take time to get acclimated to Pittsburgh, and having to deal with two coaches your first year here is no picnic.  Mike Sullivan's style of play has definitely helped Kessel flourish.  We will need the same amount or maybe more production in the playoffs from him.

Last, it is no secret that the best team in the NHL currently resides in the steel city.  The expectations again going into the playoffs are very high, and who would of seen this coming after the way they stumbled out of the gates.  I won't definitively say they will win the Stanley Cup, but I expect a deep run, who knows maybe till the middle/late of June :) 

Source: Yahoo! Images